A New Approach to Making Michigan’s School Funding System Fair For All Students

Who We Are Diverse group of business leaders and education experts Members from Metro Detroit to the U.P. All agree: It’s time to change the way Michigan’s schools are funded 2

Our Work Launched the Collaborative in 2016 Completed Michigan’s first comprehensive school adequacy study in 2018 Advocacy – Public Engagement Committee, began in 2018 Read the report at www.fundmischools.org 3

Key Findings The base per-pupil cost to educate a regular education student in Michigan is $9,590 Charter schools should receive the same funding that school districts receive It costs $14,155 to educate a preschool student age 3 or 4 4

Key Findings An additional percentage of the base per-pupil cost should be provided for: Special education English Language Learners Students living in poverty, and Career and Technical Education Transportation should be funded at $731 per rider until further study is completed Because small districts lack economies of scale, additional funding should be provided for those under 7,500 students 5

Key Findings For a 400-student elementary school, the report recommends these support services: 6

Message #1 The School Finance Research Collaborative has completed Michigan’s first comprehensive school adequacy study, providing a roadmap to fixing Michigan’s broken school funding system and making it fair for all students. 7

Message #2 This new school funding approach will ensure every Michigan student has the same opportunity at getting a good education, including special education students and students living in poverty. 8

Message #3 By funding Michigan’s schools fairly, we can provide a high-quality education to all students that provides them with competitive skills for good-paying jobs. 9

Who is Our Audience? Educators/school community Parents Business community Policymakers Media Others? 10

Media Hits “School finance builds a roadmap to successful futures” Hometown Life, Nov. 15, 2018 “Michigan’s divided government could find common ground around disadvantaged students” Chalkbeat, Nov. 8, 2018 “Time to fix Michigan’s broken school funding system” Oakland Press, Sept. 20, 2018 “The Cost Of Education” ‘Michigan Matters,’ CBS Detroit, Aug. 24, 2018 11

Widespread Support for Change A new statewide poll commissioned by the School Finance Research Collaborative found that: 70 percent believe Michigan’s schools are underfunded 67 percent support a new school funding system that meets all students’ needs 63 percent believe Michigan’s current school funding system is unfair Read a summary of the poll at www.fundmischools.org 12

Available Resources Website PowerPoint Talking points One-page fact sheet Resolution of Support for local school boards 13

How You Can Help Follow us at www.fundmischools.org and on social media, and share the content with your networks. Sign up to be an Advocate on our website. Discuss results of the Collaborative’s study with colleagues, friends and family. Show the Collaborative video whenever and wherever possible, and share the link with your networks. Have your local district pass a Resolution of Support. 14

Connect FundMIschools.org Facebook.com/FundMIschools Twitter.com/FundMIschools LinkedIn.com/company/fundmischools 15

Questions/Comments 16

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